The Assassin: The Reunion Trilogy, #2

By Imogene Nix

Kumi Ito has her mission, as does Carmichael Snow, but are their objectives compatible?

Kumi Ito is a woman with a problem. Since assuming the role of head of the Commerce Department, she's found discrepancies…the kind that could cause anarchy if the truth got out.

When Carmichael Snow, the commander of the Emancipation, comes across intelligence that someone has placed a hit on Kumi, he has to save her. His plan? Hide her and find the assassin.

As they dodge the killer, a passion ignites between them that runs from simmering all the way to steamy. But will the actions of one snatch away their happiness before they can accept what is growing between them?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Love Books Australia
• Release date: Jan 27, 2021
• ISBN: 9781922369178

Imogene Nix

Imogene is published in a range of romance genres including Paranormal, Science Fiction and Contemporary. She is mainly published in the UK and USA due to the nature of her tales.In 2011, Imogene Nix (the pen name not Imogene herself) was born. Imogene sat down and worked tirelessly for 3 months culminating in the books Starline, which became the first in a trilogy titled, "Warriors of the Elector."Imogene has successfully been contracted for twenty-five titles. She has also completed several others. In 2017 Imogene decided to self publish most of her further works - a plan which is in train.Imogene is a member of a range of professional organisations world wide, and believes in the mantra of mentoring and paying it forward.​She loves to drink coffee, wine & eat chocolate and is parenting 2 spoiled dogs and a ferocious cat along with her husband and 2 human daughters.

Book preview

Chapter One

Kumi furtively rubbed the aching arches of her feet inside her shoes, wishing the event would come to an end soon. Since she had taken over as the head of the Department of Commerce on Reunion, it felt like she spent more time attending functions than she did in her office. Everyone, it seemed, had to invite her to every damned event. Of course, that was only because the previous head had been socially inclined.

Now, my dear, you simply must attend the launching of the new flag ship. I’ll have my people contact your people. Kumi watched the aging socialite flit take another sip of her wine.

She smiled, more than a little aware of how much her cheeks ached. That bloody line! It’s the bane of my life!

Back at the office, her tower of files was growing and she was sure her desk was groaning under the piles of data chips waiting. She snuck a discreet look at her timepiece. Three PM. Maybe should could make her goodbyes now? Hmm. The non-committal groan was enough to allow her to move away.

Kumi headed in the direction of the door, nodding and smiling at the appropriate times. Being an Ito was hard enough, but now that she had the role of head...well, things had become progressively more stifling. The doorway loomed ahead and she surged through it, gulping down the fresh air that whistled through the open window. The Regent, His Highness the Honorable Pasang, was dozing in a chair by the doorway. With great care, Kumi stripped her shoes off and gripped them in one hand. It wouldn’t do to wake him. His advanced age was her ally though, and he snored on as she made her escape.

At the front door, the major domo hailed her transport and she shuffled in, pleased to finally take a seat. To the office, please. Sorry I was gone so long, it can’t have been too exciting for you to be waiting around.

Madam Kumi, after years of this, you learn to find things to do. The driver punched the vehicle into the sky and she relaxed, knowing she’d be at her desk soon enough.

In the distance, she could see the city skyline jutting out above the clouds. Minarets and domes had become the latest architecture craze on Reunion. Many of the larger buildings had refurbished their upper stories to keep up with the style mavens.

The small communicator on her belt gave a cheerful chirp. She was more than happy to answer her personal system. Kumi Ito.

Hey, Kumi! Are you busy tonight?

Kumi rolled her eyes at her brother’s teasing tones. Yes, I am actually. I have reports to read, more than one release to prepare, and—

Renjiro and Selina are coming over for dinner. A family dinner. She noted the emphasis on ‘family’ and it caught her interest. Family dinners were usually reserved for announcements. She wondered what that meant, her mind whirring away.

Hmm. I might be able to make it there for an hour or two, but honestly, there are so many functions...

Tomi laughed and she frowned.

Tell me, is it usually like this for you? Kumi couldn’t stop the question from escaping. I have excellent executive support. Gillian knows how to get me out of the non-essential functions.

The vehicle was traveling at pace and the building that housed her office was just ahead.

Look, send me details and I’ll let you know when I can get there. Oh, and Tomi? Don’t ever suggest me for another function like today’s.

Sure, I’ll send you what you need. And on the other? I make no promises. With that the connection faded away.

As the vehicle came to a halt inside the large parking bay, she hustled out and was across the plascrete surface, her mind already delving into the array of problems that needed solving.

At the doorway Dobry, her personal assistant started updating her on various projects. She nodded and smiled, accepting the cup of tea that was handed to her. The rich aroma teased her and she sipped the hot beverage. Once Kumi stepped up to her desk, she slipped the cup onto the tabletop and grabbed the first file.

The report was both comprehensive and disturbing. Selina glanced up and found Dobry waiting, deep frown lines on his face. So if we don’t get the spending on the project perfectly balanced, we run the risk of not being able to finish any of the ships? How could this happen? Kumi thought it was yet another blow, one that physically stole her ability to think for a moment.

The ships in question were the newest freighters developed to send the foodstuffs Reunion grew in plentiful supply to moon bases scattered throughout the Federation. It was singly the largest source of income for Reunion.

Dobry grimaced. The previous head... He didn’t see that it was a concern. He wasn’t very... The black-haired man stopped and shrugged.

Not for the first time, she felt a burst of pure anger. From everything she’d found in the last few months, her predecessor had been more interested in the social function of his role than the hands-on. Because of his lack of care, Reunion had suffered economically.

At least, very few knew the true state of affairs, she reminded herself. Reunion was teetering on the edge of total financial collapse. Only the senators were aware of how bad the situation really was. If the populace learned... She shuddered. It could result in pure anarchy.

In an effort to repair their shattered economic circumstances, Kumi worked long hours and pared costs to the bone. There was only so much one person could do though. She was grateful that her staff was both efficient and close-lipped. So far, she’d barely scratched the surface of the crisis with their assistance. She had to find a way, needed to formulate a quick but long-lasting plan, to resurrect the economic situation of Reunion.

The information in the cardboard folder before her reinforced her concerns. Right. Then I suppose we had best get the project managers over here for a meeting. See if we can’t find a way to stabilize the credit bleed. With a head shake, she moved the information to the pending pile. It was, by far, the largest mountain on her desk.

Kumi swiped an unsteady hand over her forehead. The constant woes had drained her. How could the planet’s finances have gotten in this kind of mess? She slid into her chair, the padding molding itself to her body.

At times like this, she felt more like a little girl playing grown-up. One who didn’t have any answers to the problems. It was overwhelming. Her stomach wobbled precariously then ached. She